Doctor Pepper soda company has come a long way. It has been in the market for 137 years, striving and thriving in the competition with its new flavors and improved formula.
The original flavor of Doctor Pepper was not only the favorite soda of the grotesque-looking Lizards but loved by everyone around the world. The reason Dr Pepper thrives in America is that it’s different from your regular coke taste.
It has exclusive notes of 23 different flavors, which make the soda unique. It was first produced by pharmacist Charles Alderton in Waco, Texas, around the 1880s. The company introduced the soda to the public in 1885, one year before coca cola made its debut. One serving contains about 41 caffeine and 150 calories.
If you had never heard about Dr Pepper before or wanted to try it out for the first time, then stay till the end. In this article, I’ll discuss the ingredients, nutrient values, and flavors of the Dr Pepper soda in detail.
To find the truth in-depth about the flavors, benefits and side effects of Doctor Pepper, let’s look at its ingredients, nutrient and facts.
Popular Flavors of Dr Pepper Ranked from Best to Worst
Since 1905, Dr Pepper has introduced many flavors, and almost all of them have unique tastes. Here are the dominant flavors of Doctor Pepper Drink.
1- Original Dr Pepper
Nothing like the original flavor of Doctor Pepper Soda, which has ruled over the decades. The 23 flavors combination of original Dr Pepper offers 150 cal and 39 g sugar in 12 fl oz of serving. The sweetness in the original flavor comes from high fructose corn syrup and artificial sweeteners.
2- Dr Pepper Cherry
It’s a real example of a cherry on top. The 23 original flavors with the kiss of cherry smoothness make everything perfect.
Doctor Pepper Cherry has 160 Cal and about 42g of sugar per serving.
3- Dr Pepper Cream Soda
The creamy richness dances on your tongue at the first sip of the brand new duet of Dr Pepper Cream Soda. Dr Pepper Cream Soda per serving of 12 fl oz has 150 calories, 40g sugar, and 2% sodium.
Instead of sugar, It has high fructose corn syrup, caramel color, natural and artificial flavors, and sodium benzoate (preservative).
4- Dr Pepper Real Sugar
Dr Pepper with the real added sugar to give a satisfying taste to sugar lovers. The original formula tastes much better with the added sugar. Per serving of real sugar, have 150 cal and 40 g carbohydrates.
Diet & Zero Sugar Flavors of Dr. Pepper Ranked From Best to Worst
Besides regular Dr Pepper flavors, the special flavors are also great to help you enjoy the sugary taste without kicking your weight loss or healthy lifestyle journey off. But which one should you choose? To help you know, here is the complete list of diet and sugar-free flavors.
1- Dr Pepper Diet Soda
The original Dr Pepper taste but with zero calories; what do you need more of?
Apart from common ingredients per serving of diet, Dr Pepper contains caffeine and artificial flavors.
2- Caffeine-Free Diet Dr Pepper
If you don’t need extra energy from caffeine in your soda, the caffeine-free flavor is perfect for you. No change in the real flavor but a decaffeinated treat for you. It contains 150 cal per 12 fl oz and 39 g of sugar. .
3- Doctor Pepper Zero Sugar
Well, Dr Pepper zero sugar has some artificial sweeteners, but that is much better than the original sugar, right? The extra ingredients found in zero sugar are aspartame, sodium benzoate (preservative), caffeine, and acesulfame potassium.
4- Doctor Pepper Zero Sugar Cherry
A perfect combination of cherry and the original 23 flavors but with zero sugar. What a perfect soda treat.
The sweetness of cherry zero sugar comes from aspartame and acesulfame potassium. Other ingredients that are present in this flavor are citric acid, phosphoric acid, caffeine, malic acid, sodium phosphate, red 40, and sodium benzoate (preservative).
5- Dr Pepper & Cream Soda Zero Sugar
The richness of cream without added sugar and extra calories makes this flavor everyone’s favorite. The artificial flavors used in this version are artificial flavors, aspartame, and acesulfame potassium.
Ingredients of Dr Pepper
Here is the official ingredient list: for Dr Pepper Soda:
- Carbonated Water
- Sugar
- Color (Caramel E150d)
- Caffeine
- Phosphoric Acid
- Sweeteners (Aspartame, Acesulfame k)
- Preservative (Potassium Sorbate)
- Sodium Benzoate
- High Fructose Corn Syrup
- Source of Phenylalanine
- Caramel
- Blackberry
- Raspberry
- All Spices
- Cardamom
- Cherry
That’s the list of ingredients mentioned officially by the company.
We are unsure about all 23 flowers added to Doctor Pepper, but some rumors that it contained the common flavor of root beer
- Birch
- Chocolate
- Nutmeg
- Ginger
- Licorice
- Anise
- Molasses
- Sassafras
- Wintergreen
- Burdock
- Sarsaparilla
- Allspice
- Dandelion
- Clove
Nutrients Facts about Doctor Pepper
To know if a drink is healthy to consume by an average adult, we need to look at the nutrients facts first:
| Calories | 100 Kcal (8 fl oz.) |
| Protein | 0g |
| Carbohydrates | 27g |
| Fat | 0g |
| Caffeine | 42 g (12-ounce Drink) |
For further information, let’s look at the main ingredients and values one by one
Caffeine in Doctor Pepper
Not all flavors of Doctor Pepper contain caffeine. The flavors that have caffeine are Diet Doctor Pepper and Cherry Vanilla.
Further, you get two versions of Diet soda, one with caffeine and one without caffeine. The taste is the same; just the latter one doesn’t have the stimulating effects of caffeine.
There is 42.6 g of caffeine in 12 fl oz of Doctor Pepper. Consuming caffeine is good for your health, but only in moderation. According to the FDA, an adult’s recommended amount of caffeine is 400mg daily.
Considering that 42 to 44 g of caffeine per day is safe to consume, you can have one can per day. Caffeine might be the reason why the company claims that soda is good for your energy level.
However, the amount of added sugar overshadows caffeine’s benefits. Plus, it’s safe to drink only 1 can of Doctor Pepper, keeping in mind the other caffeine intake you’re taking during the day.
Remember, overconsumption of caffeine can lead to various health hazards, such as
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Extreme Tingling
- Nausea
- Insomnia
- Anxiousness
- Fast heart Rate
- Jitters
Calories
Dr Pepper has around 85 calories in 100ml (100 cal in an 8 fl oz drink). Like other sodas, Dr Pepper is made with high carbonated water. If you’re on a diet or weight control, Dr Pepper might not be a good choice.
You can go for a Diet Dr Pepper flavor, which has 0 calories and 44g of caffeine, so it’s a good beverage that can stimulate energy and help with weight loss.
Sugar
In some countries, Dr Pepper contains some amount of fructose corn syrup, which is unhealthy if you ask. According to health experts, a healthy diet should be free from any amount of high fructose corn syrup.
Fructose corn syrup proved to be very unhealthy for your body. It can cause type 2 diabetes, weight gain, high triglyceride levels, and metabolic syndrome.
Note: Doctor Pepper formula in some countries uses sugar instead of corn fructose syrup.
And then there is Diet Doctor Pepper, which has 0 sugar and might be a good option for you. However, it contains artificial sweeteners aspartame, which is 200 times sweeter than normal sugar. Doctor Pepper’s zero sugar has potassium aspartame and acesulfame, making it slightly sweeter than Diet flavor soda.
If you want to control your sugar level, then your best bet is to avoid soda altogether.
Here is a study that says aspartame can cause high fasting glucose levels. Artificial sweeteners might be lower in calories, but they’re not as healthy as you might think.
Phosphorus Acid
Phosphorus acid, by its name, may sound like some kind of acid that could be bad for health. However, it’s safe to consume in considerable amounts and has some benefits. It helps reduce the growth of bacteria in the body. It also adds tartness to the flavor.
Sodium
All sodas are high in sodium, so Dr Pepper. A 20 oz drink of Doctor Pepper contains almost 100g of sodium, and that’s a lot!
A moderate amount of sodium helps with the contraction and relaxation of muscles and conducts nerve impulses. However, if you’re keeping your daily sodium level in check, then be mindful of drinking sodas like Dr Pepper that are high in sodium.
Doctor Pepper flavors that have 100g sodium:
- Diet Cherry Vanilla Dr. Pepper
- Diet Dr Pepper
- Dr Pepper Zero Sugar
- Caffeine-Free Diet Dr Pepper
Some Interesting Facts about Doctor Pepper (Doctor Pepper)
Doctor Pepper soda was first introduced in the US in around 1904 and, with time, became popular worldwide. When we go back to history, there are some really interesting facts behind the popularity of Doctor Pepper and its uniqueness.
Doctor Pepper was first named as Woca.
Charles Alderton realized that people were bored with the existing soda flowers, so he took on the mission of creating something different. He succeeded in creating a great formula of 23 distinct flavors.
He first named it Waco because the formula was made in the drugstore in the city of Waco. Later, the owner of the store changed the name
Doctor Pepper was not introduced as a cold drink.
Do you know that doctor Pepper was once advertised as a warm drink to kill the cold of winters? Around 1960, when soda companies saw a reduction in sales during winter, Dr Pepper’s clever advertising won the game.
The company suggested heating the soda to 180 to eliminate the carbohydrate. Some loved having soda as a warm drink; others didn’t buy the idea.
In America, the Snapple Group makes and owns Dr Pepper, while Coca-Cola and Pepsi are the ones who make it for the European market.
The word “doctor” was intentionally used to advertise the drink as a healthy drink.
The term “Doctor” in Doctor Pepper made people believe it’s a healthy drink. The idea was further promoted by advertisement. The company advertised the drink as something that helps with digestion and energy.
Well, that is not the truth.
FAQs
Is Dr Pepper the same as cola?
No, Doctor Pepper and Coca-Cola are not the same nor can be put in the same category.
Coca-cola is made with the extract of cola nut. Doctor Pepper does not have that, which makes it closer to root beer than a cola. However, it contains many fruit gloves, so it can not be specified as root beer as well.
The company describes the soda as Pepper soda that is unique with 23 distinct.
Coke has a jaded drink and a little brash, while Doctor Pepper has a mysterious taste that dances on your tongue at first sip. You barely catch the flavor, which makes it different from any other soft drink.
Is Doctor Pepper good for you?
The brand has advertised Dr Pepper soda as a healthy drink. However, the facts are just like other sodas on the market, which have side effects when you over-consume them.
The first ingredient that is a big no-no is high fructose corn syrup. I can’t stress enough how this substance can harm your health. Check this study out. Some flavors don’t have fructose corn syrup, but that does not make them any better.
Why?
Because they come packed with 40 g of sugar per serving. Some flavors have artificial sweeteners. The artificial sweetener aspartame that is added to Diet Dr Pepper, has been linked to many health side effects as:
- Cancer
- Obesity
- Heart disease
Moreover, Dr Pepper soda in women can cause low fertility rates and a high risk of gout because of high sugar intake.
If we look at the nutrient values, Dr Pepper provides no iron and no calcium or potassium. However, that doesn’t mean that Dr Pepper has no benefits at all.
Dr Pepper contains caffeine in a moderate amount that helps with increased energy levels. Plus, a can of soda a day on a humid day keeps you hydrated and refreshed.
Remember, the key is moderation!
Does Dr Pepper contain prune juice?
Regarding ingredients, Dr. Pepper comes clear by listing everything it used to create the real flavor. However, a rumor has been around from the very start of its popularity. Many people believe that Dr. Pepper contains prune juice, and that’s their secret to uniqueness.
Really?
Well, it’s not entirely true. The ingredient list provided by the company doesn’t state prune juices. Plus, the company has insisted that it doesn’t use any prune juice in Dr Pepper.
It might be true that they have used some of the artificial-prone juice; we might never know this without facts.
What is Keurig Dr Pepper?
After the success of cold sodas, Doctor Pepper has introduced the ready-to-brew Keurig pods for caffeine lovers.
You might not be aware that Keurig, the most popular pod company, co-work with the Snapple group of Dr Pepper. They are the first who introduce the amazing large-scale hot and cold beverages together.
Final Verdict on Doctor Pepper
Doctor Pepper has been around for a decade and upscaling the brand values every year. If you love to drink soda, then you must need to try out Doctor Pepper.
From among the variety of flavors you can choose. Each offers a unique taste of the brand. The actual notes you might catch are cherry, allspice, or prune juice.
Overall, the drink offers great taste and value; that’s why it has been celebrated for years. In the era of coke, Dr Pepper still remains the favorite soda of people around the US and Europe.
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